Israeli forces have demolished over 1,000 buildings in Gaza City’s Zaytoun and Sabra neighborhoods, straining emergency services and trapping hundreds of civilians under rubble.
The operation, which has intensified in recent days, has reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 51 people, including 27 in Gaza City and 24 others seeking aid, according to medical sources. Palestinian Civil Defence has confirmed that the continued shelling and blocked access routes have made it nearly impossible for emergency crews to reach hundreds of trapped civilians or respond to reports of missing persons. Hospitals in the area are reportedly overwhelmed, further complicating the humanitarian crisis.
Israel has stated that the operation is necessary for national security, targeting Hamas infrastructure such as command centers, weapons caches, and tunnel networks. Zaytoun and Sabra have been identified as strategic zones for Hamas operations by Israeli officials. However, Palestinian officials have raised serious concerns about the impact on civilian populations, with the Civil Defence organization describing the situation as one where emergency crews lack the capacity to deal with the intensity of the ongoing attacks.
The conflict in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, following Hamas’ incursion into southern Israel, which killed over 1,200 people and resulted in the capture of 250 individuals. Around 50 remain in captivity. Since then, Gaza’s Health Ministry has reported more than 62,000 deaths and around 156,000 injuries from Israeli attacks. The ongoing violence has also led to a severe humanitarian crisis, with the death toll from malnutrition reaching 289, including 115 children, according to the ministry.
Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), has warned that famine is now the final calamity affecting Gaza. ‘People are enduring hell in all shapes,’ he said, calling for full access for aid groups and international journalists. The Israeli military officially started an operation to take over Gaza City last week, targeting what it describes as key elements of Hamas’ operational capabilities within the city. However, the humanitarian toll continues to mount, with emergency services struggling to cope with the scale of the destruction and casualties.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with reports of ongoing airstrikes and the continued destruction of critical infrastructure. As the conflict escalates, the humanitarian and political ramifications are becoming increasingly severe, with international calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian relief growing louder.